Pérez-Ardanaz, BibianaPeláez-Cantero, María JoséGonzález-Cano-Caballero, MaríaGutiérrez-Rodríguez, LauraGómez-González, Alberto JoséLupiáñez-Pérez, InmaculadaMorales-Asencio, José MiguelCanca-Sánchez, José Carlos2022-10-182022-10-182021-10-28Pérez-Ardanaz B, Peláez-Cantero MJ, González-Cano-Caballero M, Gutiérrez-Rodríguez L, Gómez-González AJ, Lupiáñez-Pérez I, et al. Utilization of Parallel Resources and Sociodemographic Factors in Treating Children with Complex Chronic Diseases: A Cross-Sectional Study. Children. 2021 Oct 28;8(11):973http://hdl.handle.net/10668/4259Children with complex chronic conditions have a high need for health and social care resources. Many parents explore parallel resources such as alternative therapies, associations, psychological support, private medical consultations, and other out-of-pocket expenses for healthcare. The use of these alternative health resources is sometimes unclear and may lead to health inequalities. To characterize the use made of alternative healthcare resources for children with complex chronic conditions. Additionally, we evaluate the influence of sociodemographic factors on the distribution of this utilization of resources; (2) Methods: Cross-sectional study. Children with complex chronic diseases were treated at a tertiary hospital in Granada, Spain in 2016. We analyzed their use of healthcare resources and socioeconomic variables. This research complies with STROBE guidelines for observational studies; (3) Results: In total, 265 children were analyzed (mean age 7.3 years, SD 4.63). A total of 105 children (39.6%) attended private consultations with specialists, and 12.1% (n = 32) of the children had additional private health insurance. One out three parents belonged to a mutual support association (n = 78), and 26% (n = 69) of the children used alternative therapies. Furthermore, 75.4% (n = 199) of the children received no psychological support. Children whose parents had a higher educational level and occupations status made greater use of parallel healthcare resources.; (4) Conclusions: A significant proportion of children used multiple health resources in addition to the public healthcare system depending on sociodemographic determinants. Studies are needed to determine whether the use of these alternative services achieves better levels of health.enAtribución 4.0 Internacionalhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Child health servicesMultiple chronic conditionsAlternative therapiesSocial supportPublic healthPsychosocial support systemsSocioeconomic factorsServicios de salud del niñoAfecciones crónicas múltiplesTerapias complementariasApoyo socialAtención a la saludSistemas de apoyo psicosocialFactores socioeconómicosMedical Subject Headings::Persons::Persons::Age Groups::ChildMedical Subject Headings::Persons::Persons::Age Groups::Adult::AgedMedical Subject Headings::Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment::Investigative Techniques::Epidemiologic Methods::Epidemiologic Study Characteristics as Topic::Epidemiologic Studies::Cross-Sectional StudiesMedical Subject Headings::Geographical Locations::Geographic Locations::Europe::SpainMedical Subject Headings::Health Care::Health Care Quality, Access, and Evaluation::Delivery of Health Care::Health ExpendituresMedical Subject Headings::Health Care::Health Care Quality, Access, and Evaluation::Delivery of Health Care::Health ResourcesMedical Subject Headings::Health Care::Population Characteristics::Demography::Health Status::Health Status DisparitiesMedical Subject Headings::Health Care::Health Care Facilities, Manpower, and Services::Health Facilities::Hospitals::Tertiary Care CentersMedical Subject Headings::Health Care::Health Care Economics and Organizations::Economics::Financing, Organized::Insurance::Insurance, HealthMedical Subject Headings::Anthropology, Education, Sociology and Social Phenomena::Social Sciences::Sociology::Socioeconomic FactorsMedical Subject Headings::Diseases::Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms::Pathologic Processes::Disease Attributes::Chronic DiseaseMedical Subject Headings::Persons::Persons::ParentsMedical Subject Headings::Health Care::Population Characteristics::Socioeconomic Factors::OccupationsMedical Subject Headings::Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques and Equipment::Therapeutics::Complementary TherapiesMedical Subject Headings::Health Care::Health Services Administration::Organization and Administration::Professional Practice::Referral and ConsultationMedical Subject Headings::Anthropology, Education, Sociology and Social Phenomena::Social Sciences::Sociology::Social Environment::Social Supportresearch article34828686open access10.3390/children81109732227-9067PMC8624513